Pear tree named &#39;PE2UNIBO&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Pyrus communis  L. pear tree variety named ‘PE2UNIBO’ is particularly characterized by the following features: medium vigorous trees with semi-upright growing habitus; bearing habitus normally on spurs on 2-3 years old branches and on 1 year shoots; good grafting compatibility with the main quince rootstocks; early ripening (about 15 days before ‘Bartlett’); high and constant yield and early bearing; good size of the fruit (over 200 g) with regular pyriform shape; green skin at picking time and yellow-green at full ripening stage (after the cold storage), with an attractive red-orange over-color in the fruit surface previously exposed to sun; tender, juicy and white flash, with a very good flavor (good sugar-acid balance) at full ripening stage; long storage capacity in cold room, up to 5-6 months.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Pyrus communis L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PE2UNIBO’

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Community Plant VarietyOffice Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 2014/0970 filed May 9,2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peartree, botanically known as Pyrus communis L. of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘PE2UNIBO’.

The new Pyrus variety is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the inventors, Stefano Musacchi, Silviero Sansavini andVincenzo Ancarani, in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The variety is fullyowned by Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna. The objective ofthe breeding program was to develop a new Pyrus variety with high andconstant yield, early ripening, high fruit quality and long storabilityin cold room.

The new Pyrus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in1992 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The female or seed parent is thePyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Harvest Queen’ (unpatented). Themale or pollen parent is the Pyrus communis L. variety designated ‘AbbéFétel’ (unpatented). The new Pyrus variety was discovered and selectedby the inventors within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2001 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Pyrus variety by budding and graftingwas first performed in August 2001 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PE2UNIBO’ which in combination distinguishthis pear tree as a new and distinct variety:

1. Trees with medium vigor;

2. Early ripening;

3. Good graft compatibility with quince rootstocks;

4. High and constant yield;

5. High quality fruit with good flavor;

6. Large fruit size;

7. Green-yellow skin; and

8. Long storage capacity

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘Harvest Queen’ and ‘AbbéFétel’, the claimed variety differs primarily in the traits listed inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Variety ‘Harvest Queen’ ‘AbbéFétel’ Trait ‘PE2UNIBO’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Compatibility GoodPartially Partially with quince rootstock Fruit Shape Pyriform;Pyriform-truncated Pyriform elongated Fruit Size Large Small Large Skincolor Green-yellow Yellow Yellow Taste Sweet and sour Sweet SweetHarvest time Early (15 days Early (10 days Late (30 days after before‘Bartlett’ before ‘Bartlett’ ‘Bartlett’ pear) pear) pear)

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to the new Pyrus variety ‘PE2UNIBO’ is thePyrus variety ‘Bartlett’ (unpatented), in the following characteristicsdescribed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 New Variety Comparison Variety Characteristic ‘PE2UNIBO’‘BARTLETT’ Growth habit Semi-upright Upright Compatibility CompatibleIncompatible with quince rootstock Skin color Green-yellow Green-yellowFruit Shape Pyriform; Pyriform with maximum regular shape diameterslightly toward calyx; irregular shape Size Large Medium Harvest timeEarly Medium

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Pyrus variety ‘PE2UNIBO’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘PE2UNIBO’.

FIG. 1—shows a tree of ‘PE2UNIBO’, at six years old;

FIG. 2—shows typical fruits of ‘PE2UNIBO’;

FIG. 3—shows the leaves of ‘PE2UNIBO’;

FIGS. 4 and 5—show different images of the flowers of ‘PE2UNIBO’, atfull bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Pyrus variety ‘PE2UNIBO’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the peartree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘PE2UNIBO’ asgrown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The pear farm in which PE2UNIBO is growing has a clay soil; the climateis temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low wintertemperatures; the orchard has a drip irrigation system used forfertigation

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on six year old ‘PE2UNIBO’trees grown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy from 2009 to2014. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘PE2UNIBO’. Themeasurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the newvariety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximatelyat 10:00 am in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

All of the trees of ‘PE2UNIBO’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Pyrus communis L.        -   Commercial.—Pyrus cv. PE2UNIBO.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Harvest            Queen’ (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’            (unpatented).-   Propagation: budding and grafting-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature (in the vegetative season, from March to            September, year 2013).—Minimum: 0.1° C. in March Maximum:            38.9° C. in August Medium: 8° C. (March) to 26.3° C. (July).        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of N 80            kg/ha; P₂O₅ 50 kg/ha; K₂O 120 kg/ha.        -   Growth regulators.—not used.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—winter pruning.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were 6 years old and grafted on quince            rootstock BA29®.        -   Vigor.—Medium vigor; early bearing; mid-season bloom,            abundant flowering; high and constant productivity; no            biennial bearing. The variety is compatible with the main            quince and pear rootstocks.        -   Type of bearing.—Typically on spurs on 2-3 years old            branches and on 1 year shoots.        -   Form.—Semi-upright and conical: branches inserted with a            semi-narrow crotch angle. Forms also depends on the training            system used.        -   Habit.—A medium sized tree with one trunk and one leader.            The tree habitus is semi-upright with the main branches            spreading laterally semi-upward; symmetrical crown and            rounded shape.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 30° to 70° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally. The crotch            angle changes along the trunk: the basal branches have a            more right crotch angle whereas the upper and apical            branches have a more narrow crotch angle.        -   Density.—medium-low density.        -   Size at maturity (depends on the training system).—Height:            About 2.9 m Spread: About 1.4 m.        -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): About 2.6 m Diameter: About            55 mm (measured' 10 cm above the grafter point).        -   Texture.—At first, it is smooth with numerous lenticels,            then it shows shallow furrows and scaly ridges. Generally            the lenticels are numerous, with irregular shape, from            rounded to elongated and also arranged vertically to form a            vertical lines of pustules. Bark color: Primarily RHS 197B,            with RHS 175A under bark Trunk Lenticels: Length: About 3.5            mm Width: About 1.3 mm Color: RHS 199A Density: 2.02 n°/cm².        -   Branches.—Number per tree: About 16 (from 10 to 19) Length:            Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree; maximum of 80 cm to            90 cm; minimum of 15 cm to 50 cm. Diameter: About 11 mm to            27 min Surface texture: smooth with rounded and rough            lenticels Pubescence: Absent Color: Mature (after about 3            years old): RHS 200C; under bark RHS 167A New Growth: RHS            164A Internode length (in the middle of branches): About 2.5            cm to 4 cm Internode diameter (in the middle of branches):            About 3.6 mm to 7 mm Branch lenticels: Length: About 1.6 mm            Width: About 1.8 mm Color: RHS 165B Density: 3.8 n°/cm² One            Year old Shoot lenticels (small and ovate): Length: About            0.34 mm to 1.19 mm Width: About 0.35 mm to 0.87 mm Color:            RHS 164D Density: 3.6 n°/cm².        -   Spur.—Present: Yes Distance between each spur: On the 3            years old branches, the distance is about 3 mm to 7 mm            Diameter of each spur: About 5.6 Number of fruit per spur:            About 2 to 4.        -   Leaves.—.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated and arranged            outwards in relation to shoot.        -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 6.94 mm (from 4.7 to 9.4 mm            fully expanded leaf) Width: About 4.03 mm (from 2.5 to 5.8            mm fully expanded leaf) Length/width ratio: 1.7 Overall            Shape: the shape of leaf blade is oval-elliptic with a            medium pointed tip; the leaf area is medium: 21.4 cm²; the            longitudinal axis is slightly curved; Base shape:            right-angled Apex shape: slightly acute Margin: bluntly            serrate Texture: Upper surface: glabrous Under surface:            glabrous Pubescence: Upper surface: absent Under surface:            absent Color (mature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 147A Under            surface: RHS 147C Color (immature leaves): Upper surface:            RHS 144A Under surface: RHS 146D.        -   Venation.—Type: pinnate venation from central vein to the            leaf edge Color: RHS 151A.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 2.9 mm Diameter: About 1.1 mm Color:            RHS 151A.        -   Stipule.—Arrangement: present in small numbers; the distance            from basal attachment of petiole is short Length (distance            of stipules from basal attachment of petiole): About 1.5 mm            to 11 mm Width: About 4 mm to 13 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on about April 2^(nd), year 2012            in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.        -   Blooming period: About 12 days, from March 28^(th) to April            8^(th).        -   Fragrance.—not detected.        -   Type.—corymb.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 5 to 8.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 8.5 cm Depth: About 5            cm.        -   Buds (vegetative bud on 1 year shoot).—Terminal Buds: Number            per spur: About 1-2 Shape: elongated and pointed Length:            About 8.9 mm Width: About 4.2 mm Color: Apex, RHS 200D, and            base, RHS 200A Texture: smooth; the bud support ranges from            medium to big Pubescence: Absent Lateral buds: Number per            spur: About 1 Shape: elongated and pointed; acute apex; the            position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot is slightly            held out; the bud support has generally a medium size.            Length: About 6.4 mm Width: About 3.3 mm Color: Apex, RHS            200C, and base, RHS 200B Texture: smooth; medium bud support            Pubescence: Absent Flower Buds (on 2-3 years old branches):            Number per spur: 1 to 3 Shape: elongated and pointed Length:            About 8.1 mm Width: About 3.4 mm Color: Apex, RHS 166A, and            base, RHS 200C Texture: smooth Pubescence: Absent.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: Five Size: medium Overall shape:            the margins of petals touch each other Apex shape: rounded            Base shape: rounded Texture (upper surface): smooth Texture            (lower surface): smooth Margin: entire Color (upper            surface): White at full bloom Color (lower surface): White            at full bloom.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five.        -   Pollination requirements.—can be pollinated by several            varieties of pear trees.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree; The fruit            can be stored in cold temperature conditions for up to 5-6            months without loss of firmness and juiciness. The shelf            life ranges from one week to ten days without having a loss            of firmness and juiciness.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 115 days after full            bloom on July 25^(th).        -   Type.—Pome.        -   General shape.—Pyriform truncate, regular, with the maximum            diameter slightly towards calyx; the fruit profile is            straight to slightly concave. The stem is medium sized.        -   Average weight.—About 250 g.        -   Fruit size.—Average height: About 102 mm Average diameter            (at widest point): About 78 mm Height/thickness ratio: 1.3.        -   Stem.—Length: About 32.6 mm Diameter: About 4.0 mm Color:            RHS 165A.        -   Basin.—Depth: About 9.3 mm Width: About 22.9 mm.        -   Calyx.—Depth: About 8.58 mm Width: About 7.73 mm Crowning at            calyx end: weak Calyx tube: Closed (it does not communicate            with locules). At harvest, the sepals are converging or            erect.        -   Skin.—Thickness: thin Texture: smooth; with a red-orange            over-color in the fruit exposed to sun. The over-color            increases during storage. Color: RHS 144A (at picking time);            RHS151D (when full ripe) Lenticels: very small and round,            point shape; not measured Color: RHS 199B Density: 42.1            n°/cm².        -   Flesh.—Firmness (at picking time): 5.0 to 5.5 kg (measured            with an 8 mm tip) Color: RHS 155A Texture: tender and juicy            at full ripening time Aroma: rather aromatic, good Flavor            Sugar content (at picking time): 12.6 ° Brix. Acidity/Starch            (at picking time) 3.8 g/lt malic acid Core: Symmetry of            core: symmetric Distinctness of core lines: medium Locules:            Number (per fruit): 5 Length: About 13 mm Width: About 8 mm            Form: the seed almost fills the locule cavity.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—About 1 to 10.        -   Number per locule.—About 1 to 2.        -   Shape.—ovate.        -   Length.—About 8.2 mm.        -   Width.—About 4 mm.        -   Texture.—smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: unknown; test for tolerance to Fire Blight    (Erwinia amylovora) in progress.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: None observed.-   Winter hardiness: no winter cold damage to wood and buds of dormant    pear trees have been observed during the years of evaluation; but    open flowers and young fruitlets are killed by exposure to −1.5 to    −3° C., depending on the length of exposure.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 38° C.,    growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pyrus communis L.pear tree named ‘PE2UNIBO’, as illustrated and described herein.